Renting

Although many older people own their own homes, some live in rental accommodation, either because of financial issues or through preference. Make sure you know your rights.

Your rights and responsibilities as a landlord or tenant are spelt out in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and later amendments.

Discrimination

A landlord cannot discriminate because of your age, sex, ethnic background, national origin, religion, or lifestyle.

If you believe you are being discriminated against you can complain to the Tenancy Tribunal or the Human Rights Commission.

Resolving disputes

If you have a dispute with your landlord that cannot be resolved, you can lodge an application with the Tenancy Tribunal. It costs $20.

After this is done the matter will usually be referred to mediation. If the matter remains unresolved, the tribunal can hold a formal hearing to resolve the dispute.

Accommodation supplement

If your income is so low that you can't meet your accommodation costs, an Accommodation Supplement is available from Work and Income.

You must:

have low cash assets
have low income
be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
you are not eligible if your landlord is Housing New Zealand
you do not need to be on a benefit.

Talk to Work and Income for more information.

Councils

Many local authorities provide rental housing for seniors (often called 'pensioner housing'). By providing housing, councils aim to support older people in their communities to remain independent and suitably housed.

Typical eligibility requirements include:

Age 65 or over. Some councils consider younger applicant consider applications with a disability which makes their current home unsuitable
A connection with the local community through their housing, work or family circumstances
Low annual income, typically based around superannuation levels plus a small additional margin
Low assets (cash and investments)
Be able to live independently, although they may receive support from someone to help to do this.

Comment

Some local authorities are attempting to get out of social housing provision, either by selling off accommodation to private landlords or charging market rents. Age Concern says that councils have an obligation to ensure that the people who built local communities can continue to live in their communities in housing designed for their needs.

Resources

> Department of Building and Housing

The Tenancy Services section of the Department of Building and Housing provides
advice to help tenants and landlords. For inquiries regarding tenancy bonds, call the Tenancy Bond Centre: 0800 737 666. For renting advice and information: 0800 836 262

> Consumer on tenants' rights

> Citizens Advice Bureaux

Or call 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222)

> Legal Services Agency - Law Access